I pulled the car near an old building. It has been a year since Ivan bought a woman for himself. It was more important than fulfilling his needs. Ivan's guess took us to the information. We were able to track her brothel houses and freed some hundred women in these past months.
Willow gave out every single piece of information she remembered during her training. I didn't want to go into detail. It could be painful for most of the people.
"This place is safe. It's not a high society area but a reputed one. She'll be safe here." Pete said.
I darted my gaze around. The parking lot wasn't fully empty at this time of the weekend, the swimming pool was going under the cleaning process. The playground was busy with kids and some couples sitting on their mats.
Someone caught my attention when she wiped her cheeks. The new forming tears rolled down immediately. I felt my heart beating in my chest. My hands tightened on the steering wheel seeing her in pain. Her lower lip was trembling as she fought back her pain seeing parents and kids.
I wondered what it could be. If they were in her eyes because of a boyfriend I would end his life. I was suddenly feeling possessive.
"It's her. Willow will share the apartment with her." Pete said.
"And?" I growled, not looking away. I wanted to know the reason for the tears in her eyes. I could move the mountains to fill her life with happiness.
"She lost her mother a week ago. She's staying alone in her apartment. Her bills are still pending. She didn't inquire much and agreed to give us her spare room on rent."
It infuriated me. She was staying alone. If Willow is going to stay here. It would give me many chances to see her. Well, I don't need excuses. I just don't want her to notice me. People know us and fear us. They turn their path if we choose that one to walk.
"Alright, Pete. I want to know everything before evening." I peeled my gaze off her and beckoned him to go back to his car.
"Before evening. Boss?" He bowed and climbed down the car.
I turned to look at her. My head was already planning how to kill her se* partners.
After staring at her until she returned to her apartment, I pulled out of the lot.
I came back to my house. Her information was already waiting for me on the desk. I wanted to read it without any trouble, resting in the comfort of my bed.
I went into the hall. Marcus was already seated and making himself a drink. He poured another glass at my sight.
"Eight girls were kidnapped last night. All are underage." Marcus sipped from his glass.
I strode forward. I ran my finger on the rim of my glass watching the waves crashing. I could still imagine her sitting on the bench, wiping her cheeks. I wanted my hand to wipe them away, for forever. I just wanted to give her reason after reason to smile.
"At least, we know her name." Ivan said, tugging Willow to his side. This love bird has changed the atmosphere of our house.
"Alice," Marcus said, venomously. "I wouldn't mind slicing her in pieces. I'm already looking for a female assassin. But no problem, I would do it myself.
"You can borrow my things." I told him. He always loved my blades when it was about torture.
I heard moans behind me. "Get a room," I snapped.
She was still scared of us and picked not to say a word in our presence, most of the time.
"Two guards will always be there and I'll visit every day." Ivan muttered to her.
"I'll make sure he never looks at another woman. I'll beat the hell out of him and haul him to your door." Marcus smirked.
She grinned. "I trust him." She could stay here as long as she wanted. But Ivan's father could be trouble for his happiness. To calm the storm between father and son we decided that Willow would stay away from our world until Ivan controlled every corner of his father's territory.
"Brothers, I need your attention." Ivan said. We address each other like this only when there's something essential.
"If you're showing us...." Marcus stopped and a big grin appeared on his face reaching his eyes. It was near to the sight when Sylvia agreed to wed him. "Fuck!" He exclaimed happily.
I turned, lifting my finger off the rim. A smile tugged on my face. Ivan was on his knee, he was grasping a red velvet box. "Thank you." He muttered to us and turned to Willow, grinning.
She was looking down at him with her big glassy eyes and a full smile on her face. Her hand was on her heart.
"Willow, in the presence of my brothers, I ask you to be my wife. Will you carry my children?" He asked her, smiling.
That would be the sweetest thing that happened to her. Her happy tears reminded me of her sad tears. What could be the reason? Was she still mourning her mother? Or her boyfriend left her?
"Yes," Willow's cracked but happy voice pulled me back into reality.
Getting on her knees in front of him, she stared into his eyes and nodded her head. She threw her arms around his neck. "I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart."
Marcus whistled next to me. "Congratulations!" He said in a sing-song voice.
I chuckled and clapped my hand on his shoulder. He glanced at me and the sadness behind his smile was noticeable. He was missing her.
"We're close." I told him. Soon, we'd catch her and she would pay for taking away her life.
Feeling unexpected silence around us, I glanced at them. They were looking at us.
They were still on their knees facing each other but their eyes were on me. Ivan arched his eyebrows at me.
I cleared my throat. "Welcome to the family, Willow." I grabbed my glass and raised it.
Marcus clinked his glass with mine and downed it in a big gulp.
"Thank you, brothers." Ivan got on his feet and extended his hand to help her on her feet.
I saw the big diamond gleaming on her ring finger. Would she like big diamonds or a simple platinum band or a golden one? I didn't know a thing about her yet. But soon she'd be here. I smiled and downed it.
"Oh, you smiled. What's the victory you're seeing?" Marcus asked, wiggling his brows.
"You're drunk. Let's get you to your room." I put the glass on the counter.
"We're off. Congratulations once again." He shouted gleefully as he got on his feet. Marcus stumbled and I gripped his biceps.
Willow looked hesitant. "Thank you. I thought you won't accept me." Willow lowered her gaze. She's scared of us but comfortable with our brother. It's good.
"Why wouldn't we?" Marcus let out a hollow chuckle. He didn't mean to scare her but her face whitened. "Look at that big smile of my brother." He pointed at him with his finger.
"Marcus, are you okay?" Ivan looked worried.
"He's fine. We're happy for you." I curled my arm around his shoulder and pulled him out of the hall with me.
Ivan extended his steps but I held my hand up. We strode out of the hall. I felt his head resting on my shoulder. "Who's she? I saw that look in your eyes back there?" He asked.
"I just saw her today." I told him as we took the stairs to his room. We have our mansions but we also have our wings in every house.
"Let me guess. Her file is already waiting for you on your desk." He chuckled.
My smirk answered him. Turning, we strode over to his door. I grabbed the knob and opened it.
"I'll walk." He tried to walk straight to the mattress and plopped down.
I spun to leave his room. "Good night."
"I have a feeling I'll cry," My feet halted. I still remember seeing him in pain. It hurts.
"We can talk until you fall asleep." I told him, looking at him over my shoulder.
"I'm going to repeat things." He warned me. He would talk non-stop about Sylvia.
"I won't mind." I walked in and hauled the chair with me over to the mattress.
"Lia," He spoke as he was caressing her name. "You remember? Seeing her in the club that night? I thought she'd pick you. But… " He grinned fully.
I don't know how to push the pain from his voice. This is the place where our power doesn't work. I remember that day. I saw the same look in his eyes - full of love for her. She felt the same for him. I stepped back. "Yes, you were crazy about her."
"I'm still crazy about her, man. I wanted to marry her. I wanted her to hold our baby." He let out a sad chuckle.
"Have you thought of moving on? Maybe an arranged marriage?" I suggested, though I knew he wouldn't go with it.
"I love her. I'll see your face the day you'll fall in love with your mysterious girl and you'll confess your love for her. That day! That day, brother. You'll realize my feelings." I told him.
"I don't need to fall in love to feel your pain. We're together the day we opened our eyes in this fucking world. Love doesn't exist. We take what we like. It's simple."
"Let the time pass. We'll talk that day." He winked at me.
I chuckled and shook my head. I never see myself in his situation. She'll be mine, the day she'll be ready.
I used a different car today. Endless hours have passed. I couldn't sleep last night. She kept hovering in my head. I read her file. She hasn't dated anyone in the twenty-eight years of her life. It's quite unbelievable. I stared up hoping she would come near the window of her room. I just wanna have a glimpse of her. I don't know feelings, emotions and particularly love. But I felt the need to see her. The door opened of my car and I reached for my gun. I pressed it on his head. He fucking grinned at me. "We do care for Willow. But I wasn't expecting you here." He said, looking at the building. Frowning, I pulled the gun away and put it back in the holster. "What are you doing here?" I snorted, darting my eyes out at the park. There were only kids. The security guard wasn't ever a problem. He leaned forward and peered out of the window. "She's not here. I guess. You must know her apartment. We can go and say hello." He wiggled his brows. "Shut up,"
The pain of losing her is still buried in my chest. There was no medicine that could help me to cure this pain and the loneliness I felt after she left the world. She was my only family after my father's death. I'm not merely dealing with my pain, feeling shattered but I'm also three days away from losing everything if I can't pay my mom's medical bills and funeral expenses. I'm sharing my small apartment that was gifted by my late father with Willow. Technically, it should go to my mother. It shocked me when I found out that I inherited it. Mom just thinned her lips that day and didn't say a word. What would she be thinking….. It always puzzled me. Back to Willow! She's weird, very weird. She's tall, and lean with perfect curves, her hair is dark and shorts. Her nose is pierced, her ears are pierced more than three times. She always wears black and her boyfriend is more weird than her. He scares me. But they are good-looking and seem to be made for each other. And we have
I came here because my friend Marcus suggested it to me. He's ready to take over from his father like me. Though, we don't need to. We're the kings of our kingdom. Deadline of my father boiling my blood. I'm the boss. Still, I could never be rebellious with his stubborn nature. I don't want a wife from the mafia world. I don't want any alliance, or a marriage tie to strengthen the outfit. I want a simple woman to be my wife. Underbosses don't think once to throw their eighteen-year-old daughters at my feet. Everyone is hungry for power. I don't want a kid to tie to me. Marcus is the owner of this club. A very important event for his father and Donovan. We want to throw and kill most of the guests. We're here for a special and hateful event. We're not in this favor. But when your oldies are still alive, instructing you to turn the wheel this or that way, it irks most. "I wanna shoot all the fuckers." Marcus cursed, darting his gaze around at all the faces under th
I have never been so scared in my entire life before. But I'm relieved that Willow came with me. I have seen girls in the hall. Some were naked, getting dressed, doing their makeup again and their hair. But standing up here getting ready to go out on stage scared the shit out of me. I wanna run back home. I couldn't even do so. The girls are barely dressed, almost naked, barely hiding their private parts. I look away and try to think of something else, not wanting to go into detail. Because I am also going to wear this. "Take this and there's the changing room." She handed me a gorgeous, expensive pink gown and gestured to me to go to the back. No one has used it. Why me? You're thirty! My head yelled at me. After I signed up for the auction at Club Blue, they called me in and went over everything. They had me sign many papers stating the guys were buying brides, slaves, and virgins. When I signed the papers with my heart in my throat. I did stop there.
The blindfold was gone and I felt alone in the room the next morning. I am feeling swollen down there. Blinking, my sleepy eyes drifted around. The wealth speaks loud, everything is the best from their times and expensive. My mother used to tell me that we should try to purchase good things, they would last longer. That's what money brought us. With expensive furniture, and dark walls which felt quite strange to me, it looked weird but also beautiful. Weird because it shows a dark and very strong personality. I shook my head. I could still feel his touch on my skin. I'm not blindfolded, or tied. I let out a small smile looking down at myself but also wondering about finding myself wearing an oversized black shirt. The sleeves of the shirt are rolled up to my elbows. I didn't do this. He dressed me up. He's not as bad as I was considering him. My gaze kept drifting, my head filled with his touch, flesh pressed against mine. The shock made me draw in a sharp
I want to kiss her like I need my next breath seeing her innocence and want to strangle hearing her talk about going home. It's her home with me. She can wander around the house, the day she will realize that it's her life. If she had been on the stage, the bidding would have gone across twenty million. She was brought into Marcus's office. They are my trusted men who bid on her including Marcus. She signed up for auction. Marcus knows what kind of wife I want. He knows she caught my attention a year ago. He sent me her details. To get rid of my father's nagging question, or to save myself from most attempts of tying me to knots with one of Underboss's daughters frustrated me. All women were there willingly. I'm against it and Marcus too. But his hands are tied until his old man is still breathing. I didn't believe that she was a virgin until last night when I took her. She's gorgeous and more gorgeous without clothes and just wearing my shirt. I smile. She's too innocen
I bolted upright feeling a touch on my arm. My heart is slamming against my chest. But when I turn my sleepy eyes to him. A smile spread on my lips. Then everything hit me. He didn't let me leave the room. I flattened my lips and looked away. "I am upset with you. Don't talk to me." I mostly stayed busy with my work. I talked to everyone but did not have any particular friends. I don't know how to behave around him. I pick up to be real. I'm upset with him. He should have known that I'm not softened toward him. I just couldn't help. He chuckled softly. "Thank you for letting me know." "Are you mocking me?" I stare at him, offended. He brushed his fingers on my cheek. "Why would I do that? You're such a good girl." I huffed. "You're mocking me, Mr." "Would you like to have a tour of the house?" He asked. "No." I said, flatly. "I know the way to the kitchen and back to my room. Thank you so much." I look around to find a wall cloc
I don't know how I could sleep all day and night. I'm spending most of my time sleeping. The hanging clock on the wall was telling it was seven in the morning. I dolled up for the day. It didn't take me much time when my feet reached the shore. I giggle when cold water touches my feet. I picked a midi dress so I don't have to pick my dress up while walking along the shore. There are mostly gowns for me. I should buy myself some dresses of my choice. It keeps hovering in my head that I'm sold to him. He's good to me. For now. If he's mafia, I shouldn't expect good things. He hasn't told me his motivation yet. I'm his wife. If it was just a one-night stand. What I'm doing here. Shouldn't he let me go? I didn't see him after breakfast. "So you find the way." His sudden voice startled me. Inhaling, I force myself to show my calm side. "Yes," I muttered, finding my voice. "I hope you didn't mind, Vincenzo." I cleared my throat, hiding my nervousness
"Thank you, doctor." I smiled up at him as I folded my arms. "Welcome, Miss Clara." He bowed and left the room immediately. Sylvia and Willow are staying with me, helping me with the wedding preparations. Though, they don't need to get themselves tired. Edwardo and my husband have hired a team. But I'm glad to see they wanted to make sure that everything was perfect. Edwardo was leaning against the door frame. He nodded at him as the doctor bowed while walking out the door. "Dinner time, Sister." He said. I got on my feet. There is something strange about his posture. "What is it?" I asked him, pacing forward. "Your wedding dress is here." He said. My brows furrowed. Vincenzo told me to pick whatever I wanted, including decorations. "But Willow said it would be here in the morning," I asked him. "That, too." He shrugged as he held out his arm from me. "I didn't get it." I muttered to him as I curled my arm around
He kissed the side of my head as he sat next to me on the swing. He stared at me and then at the sea. "I like city life." He said. "I like everything," I smiled brightly. "Your smile explained. I don't need words for this. But.." He turned to face me. "Are you sure you wanna be his wife?" He asked. Worry flashed in his eyes. "I'm already his wife, Ed." I blinked my lashes. Why were we discussing this topic? "You're worried about me?" I asked him. "Dad always talked about you. I never thought I would have a sister. But it feels good to take care of a calm and sensible young sister instead of a brat younger brother." We shared a laugh. But it went silent immediately. "Tell me something about him?" I asked. "Our father?" He asked. I nodded instantly. "He wasn't like other mafia fathers. He treated us like a normal father does." He said with a soft smile. "Other mafia fathers?" It frightened me, contemplating Vincenzo not tre
Something was brushing against my cheeks in a tender way. My lips curled up in a soft smile as I curved on my back, moving closer to the touch. Instead, fingers ran through my hair. My smile deepened as it brought me out of my sleepiness. Sylvia's face flashed at the back of my head, and her words sending me back to my mother echoed in my head. Fear lashed through me. "No! No! Don't send me to her." I let out a high-pitched, panicked shout. I woke up with a startle. Marcus knew about my pregnancy. Willow is safe. Sylvia and her son are in danger. My head is filled with a lot of things. My big eyes snapped at him. The fingers that were running through my hair, cupped the side of my face. I stared into his amber eyes. His gaze calmed over me. "You're not going anywhere." He said, running his thumb on my cheek. "Her child! She would kill him." I tasted my salty tears. "They're safe." He drew his face closer as he rubbed his nose
"Don't let anyone come near the house." I told them. I wanted to strangle Sylvia, but Marcus's feelings for him deterred me. He walked into the hall with an everything-fine mask over his face. "Where are you appointing me?" He asked with a smirk. The pain in his eyes is replaced with confusion today. He handles the situation better instead of his emotions letting him guide him. "My brothers are bosses. They don't need instructions." I told him, motioning at Pete to leave us alone. They bowed and left immediately. Ron, our doctor knocked on the open door. "Boss?" He looks between us, sensing that it's the wrong timing. "I can come later." He said. I shook my head. "I want you to give my wife something that will send her into a deep sleep for a few hours." I told him. "But ma'am is pregnant, boss?" Ron gulped. "I'm aware. I don't want her to hear a single gunshot." I told him. Marcus cursed under his breath and ran his
A sickness formed in the pit of my belly and my heart started racing as I saw Marcus pressing the gun to her cheek. He could do that. They could kill without remorse. She is beautiful with soft blue eyes, golden hair, tall and fit figure. Her long silver dress looked expensive. She looked like a woman on a mission. Marcus wasn't controlling his anger. I feared he'd kill her. I don't wanna see another act of violence after seeing what my mother did to me and the women she captured, and abducted. "I can explain." She says not fearing that the gun is pressed to her. "I don't fucking trust you." I always thought Marcus was rude and in anger most of the time. He was surprised like my husband. He's furious today and can pull the trigger. "What's happening?" I asked, He glanced at me and flashed his soft smile. "Patience, wife." He muttered. I swallowed. Was this situation normal to him? His smile explained I didn't need word
My body froze seeing a dead person walking toward us. I tightened my hold on her wrist as I pulled her behind me. Dead people didn't walk toward you to greet you but to take your happiness away. No one knew the way to our islands, not even Sylvia and Willow, until someone betrayed us. And that people were already dead. She stood in front of me a foot away. She was still beautiful, even more, the day I saw her in the club that night. "Capo!" She breathed out softly. She flashed her soft smile my way. She was always scared of me. Willow mostly reminded me of her the way she jumped hearing my voice suddenly. But this woman seemed bold, not even her eyes were betraying her. A fearless woman is always dangerous. "When did this miracle start to happen?" I smirked at her. I am already prepared for unpredictable things. This wasn't even in my nightmare. What kind of a game could it be? Whatever, they're not getting a single reaction from m
Giving myself a second to breathe a sigh of relief, I drifted my gaze around. Vincenzo didn't leave my side yesterday. After dolling up, when I stepped into the hallway of the room, it was only me. I didn't hear him leaving the house. I wanted to see Willow but Vincenzo said they needed time. Ivan lost his father. It gave me one more reason to point at my mother. She and her troop weren't near good. I tried to keep myself awake, fearing that a stranger would show up and take me away from my safe zone. I gulp in fear. What my mother would have done to the people consumed my thoughts. I always wanted to be like her. I'm glad I am not. I braced myself to spend time alone. My mother's bad deeds are haunting me. I paced out of the room. My heart pounded and my feet halted. "We need to pay much attention to the security." Marcus's voice reached me. "It's not our security system. But people who crossed us and met their death. I want
My patience was thinning. It has been more than two hours waiting for them. My stare grew hardened on him. "I trust my brother. Our sister was the last wish of our father. No one messed up Father's last wish." Enzo snorted. He fished his phone out with a snort. He hoisted it up after clicking on the display. "Ed," He said out loud. I was about to yank his phone away. Clara must be with him. Marcus grabbed me by the arm. "Let him talk." "My wife. I don't know where she is." I rubbed my temple. Fisting my hands, stopping myself from punching someone. "She's with her brother." He lowered his voice. I stared at Enzo. "A brother. She never met. We don't know a thing about them." My lips flattened. "They're a few seconds away. Some motorcycle guys are chasing them and a black SUV. Should I consider you - bosses prepared or do you need special time?" Enzo asked, lifting his brows. I wanted to wipe off his smirk. "
Dread froze me. Tina wasn't lying. Some girls next to me were naked and some were barely covering themselves. There was one thing common between us. Fear and tears in our eyes. I was the only one with clothes from my chest to my thighs. There wasn't much light but excluded the stage. The spotlights were falling over us. Lusty gazes were catching our every moment. There were whistles and dirty words could be heard aiming at us. They lined us up. Gena, my mother's sister, is standing proudly behind the hostess wearing a silky dress with stripes. I wanted to wipe off her evil haughty smile and wanted her to push into the deep well where I sure couldn't come out of it Including my mother and every evil person present here. Anger washed through my blood seeing most of the girls in chains. I wanted someone to slap me so I could break this nightmare and return to reality. This was the worst situation I could get myself into. I turned to run away. But His